Fingerprinting device



Jan. 14, l930.- WAGGENER 1,743,641

FINGERPRINTING DEVICE Filed Nov. 12, 1926 Patented Jan. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES PAUL N. WAGGENER, F MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE FINGERPRINTYING DEVI Application filed November 12, 1926, Serial No, 148,033;

My invention relates to identification of persons by the use of foot and fingerprints, with particular reference to a method and means for applying ink to fingers and feet,

means for holding the recording means, and method of recording finger and footprints.

Either ink or oil has been used as a printing medium in recording fingerprints. If oil is the agent, it is necessary to raise to visi- 1- bility the oil impression of the capillary ridges. This is accomplished by the application of either colored material, which adheres to the oiled impressions, or the application of acids, which in combination with the oil, render the prints visible. Ink, however, is the preferred medium because of the small cost thereof, the ease of application, and durability. But difiiculty has been experienced in the use of ink in securing an even application of the ink to the fingers or feet, and a consequent uniform inked impression. The most common method has been by placing and pressing the fingers upon an inked pad. There has also been employed a mere appli- J cation of paste-like or liquid ink directly to the fingers. 7 Another and preferred method has been the imposition of ink upon a metal plate, usually copper, and the application of the fingers to be inked thereto. When such a plate is used it has been difficult to secure upon the plate a film of ink of uniform thickness. Another disadvantage has been.

the inability to completely remove all of the ink after use from the plate. As a result of this, a subsquent application of ink to the plate is super-imposed upon the ink which substantially the-length of the side on which ing the "recording medium of finger and foot prints. Yet another object is to devise a method 7 of inking feet and fingers.

Still another object is to devise a method 5 of recording finger and footprints.

To accomplish these and other important objects, my invention comprises an aluminum plate :and an ancuate holder for the recording medium, and method of use of same.

Referring to the .accoman-y'ing drawings, Figure 1 is .a perspective view .ofan aluminumslab or plate for inking fingers and foot roller;

Fig. :2 is a perspective view ofra holder forv the recording medium; p

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of Fig. 2. "Referring moreparticularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, 1 illustrates a rectangular plate of highly polished aluminum having rounded edges 2 and corners 3. All sharp. surfaces are nounded in oricler that there might be no possibility of a subject, especially a child, being cut during the operation. There are depicted fingers 4 being applied to the thin filinof ink 5 spread upon the plate.

Fig. 2 illustrates an "arcuate' aluminum plate 6, with clamp 7, mounted .thereon in a plane transverse to the arc and extending it is mounted, said clampingrmeans holding in engagement wit the face of the plate a card 8 used in record foot-prints. Thereis also depicted the foot; 9 of a child being imprinted upon the card. The plate is constructed with 3 rounded corners 11 and curved edges 12.

In Fig. there dep cted a handl stamped. from a single piece of aluminum, comprising a connecting bar 14; supported by the members 13, said support me b s bei g fl nged at their free ends and substa a ly conforming to the plate .6 tor mounting there upon. The handle ssecunely a t ned to the plate by means of rivets 16, or any sim lar securing means, cut flush with the face of the plate This hand e, mounted a it is sub tendingthe rect the plate, makes for easy Operation o heholder and an even application of the clamped paper or card to the foot or finger to be recorded. Transvense'te the plane of the are, and on the lower end of the plate, there is mounted clamping means 7 of the ribbon spring type, although any conventional clamping device may be employed.

The mode of operation of my invention may best be iilustrated by the process of identifying children born at a hospital. Upon the aluminum plate 1 there is placed a paste-like ink, which is spread to a uniform film by a roller. The plate is composed of aluminum because of certain properties inhering in this metal. Its light. Weight and durability are advantages especially to be desired in the sick room where, not only is no assistance rendered by the subject, but frequently resistance to the operation is encountered. Aluminum is especially advantageous, however, because of its unctuous quality conducive to obtaining a smooth and even film of ink. This same unctuous quality aids in cleansing from the plate the unused ink remaining thereupon when the process is completed. The cylinder of the roller employed to spread the ink is partially absorbent, and in the process of reducing the film to the desired thickness, a portion of the ink is absorbed, and the feet of the infant are then inked by running the roller over the entire soles of the feet. A card or paper is then clamped to the holder in the proper position, the foot of the infant is firmly held, and the card is applied in an arcual movement from the heel to the toes. The card or paper is then shifted to the proper position to receive the impression of the other foot in a like manner. The fingers of the mother are then inked by a gentle direct contact with the thin film of ink upon the plate 1. The card is again adjusted in the holder so that the reverse side is exposed and the fingerprints of the mother are recorded by slightly rolling the engaged card upon the fingers. The advantages of the holder are apparent. It is made of aluminum and the consideration which governs the selection of this metal for use for thecomposition of the plate 1' applies here. The arcual shape enables a more complete contact between the sole of the footand the card, particularly with reference to the instep of the foot. Inasmuch as the configuration of this holder permits of a rolling movement, there is also less likelihood of the impression being smeared during the process.

l/Vhile I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, -I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth by way of illustration, as it isapparent that many changes and Variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing. from the spirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims. p

1 I claim: 

